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August 2002 Newsletter
    
Sign Up for a Visit
Pastor Jean is continuing to visit people in their homes - or at a location of their choice - during July and August. This is an excellent way for her to become familiar with the congregation. She has set aside time on Monday afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The sign-up sheet is posted across from the member mailboxes; please schedule your visit today!
Organist Search Committee Formed
A Search Committee has been formed to fill the position of organist. Their recommendation will go to the Church Council for final approval. The Committee met twice in July and updated the job descriptions for both the organist and choir director. Advertising for the position also began in July. As candidates come forward they will be interviewed, and asked to audition for the position.
Voting members of the Committee are:Mitch Greenawalt, Dorothy Hansen, Pastor Jean Hansen, Shirley Kmet, Kurt Mackal, Scott McVey,Lowell Unger
Also participating, but not voting, are Council members and Worship Team liaisons: Pat Gsellman, Joyce Lightle
Anyone with names of organists to refer to the committee, or questions about this process, should contact Pastor Jean, Pat Gsellman or Joyce Lightle.
Plans Made for Musical Accompaniment Until Organist is Found
The Church Council has approved Faith member Tom Antal as the substitute musician at the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services until an organist is hired. Tom will usually accompany the congregation on the piano. He will begin on September 8, and will be paid the usual substitute amount.
Because Tom also accompanies the 9:15 a.m. service, Scott McVey, choir director, will accompany the choir during rehearsal and at the services until an organist is hired.
Please note that these arrangements are flexible, depending on Tom's commitments and schedule. Substitute organists may also be hired, as needed and as available.
Anyone with questions about this should contact Congregation President Bill Beers or Pastor Jean.
Receptions Planned
Receptions Planned for Hans Zbinden, John Maroni
Receptions are being held in honor of Hans Zbinden, Music Director/Organist and John Maroni, Youth Director, as we celebrate the many ways their gifts have been shared at Faith Lutheran Church.
The reception for John will follow the 10:45 a.m. service on August 11 in the Fellowship Hall. It will be organized by Lou and Diann Sullivan and Jean Falor with support from the Growth/Learning Ministry Team.
The reception for Hans will follow the 10:45 a.m. service on August 25 and will be hosted by the Congregational Life Team with support from the Worship Team. This date is Hans' last Sunday as organist.
Please plan to attend these important events as gratitude is expressed to these servants of Christ.
Both John and Hans will be on the church staff until the end of August. Both will continue to be members of the congregation.
Midsummer Music Notes
The month of August brings four more of our very talented church musicians to the choir loft. They all bring a tasteful and meaningful dimension to our worship services. I hope that each Sunday morning's organ music also provides a proper beginning to the service. As you know, these four Sundays of August will be my last on the organ bench, and there will be exciting organ preludes to mark those final services.
On August 4 we hear an all-Bach program. Ole Latham, playing his mellow Double Bass, will play one of the Master's beautiful melodies; the service begins with one of Bach's grand preludes and fugues.
In the choir loft on August 11 will be Shirley Kmet and Marilyn Wilson, joining voices in a duet by Joseph Haydn, How Lovely are Thy Dwellings. The service opens with a dynamic organ prelude by the French Master, Camille Saint-Saens.
On August 18 Jeff Mallison returns to the choir loft. His selection is Puccini's Gloria. A sparkling toccata by the Belgian composer Flor Peeters begins the service.
Marilyn Wilson makes a return visit to the choir loft on August 25. With the 25th being my last Sunday on the organ bench, I am selecting as prelude an exciting piece of music by the man who gave us the Royal Firework Music, none other than George Frederick Handel. The title says what music can mean to a divine service in the worship of God:
Let the bright Seraphim in burning row
Their loud uplifted angel Trumpets blow!
My 35 years on the organ bench have been a great priviledge to me, and for this I thank the congregation from the bottom of my heart.
Your organist, Hans Zbinden
Explorer Club
EXPLORER RALLY DAY! 2ND ANNUAL KICKBALL GAME SEPTEMBER 8, 2002 9:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M.
All ages play ... shine or otherwise! Get your kickin' legs ready. DO NOT MISS THIS!
(Parents, pre-registration is GREATLY appreciated. Explorer registration forms are available in office and near coffee pots outside Fellowship Hall.)
Mark your calendars
Faith's Golf Outings are scheduled at Pine Valley Golf Course at 3:00 p.m. on the following Sunday afternoons:
August 25th September 22nd Watch your Sunday Bulletin for more details or call Sally Hauth at 330-825-8477.
Needed are people who will open their homes and provide a light supper following one of the outings.
OPEN M
Explorer's Camp Funds Support Children of OPEN M
Upon approval of the Church Council, funds that had been budgeted for the Explorer's Club Camp, which was not held, were donated to OPEN M for their summer recreation and education program.
OPEN M is a ministry in Akron, supported by Faith Lutheran Church and other area congregations. The summer programs serves 110 children in grades 1-5. Included each day are two meals, character development, which includes Bible Study, music, art, recreation and field trips. This is a program that is an alternative to the streets.
Affirmation of Baptism
Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) Date Set
Those youth who have completed their confirmation training will participate in the Affirmation of Baptism - otherwise known as Confirmation - service at 10:45 a.m. on September 22, 2002. Please note this date.
Couples Bridge
Couples Bridge is starting!! Come join us!! Couples Bridge will begin a new year with a bridge party at the Robinson's home
on Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m.
All bridge players are invited to come and bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided.
Call Vee and Bill Robinson at 330-666-6301 to register!! Vee and Bill's home is on Sun Ridge in Fairlawn.
Fall Progressive Dinner
Faith Lutheran Church Fall Progressive Dinner
Fall Progressive Dinner Set For September 14 - 5:30 p.m.
For those of you who do not know about this culinary and social extravaganza, you must try to attend. "Progressive" means that everybody progresses to the home of different parishioners for each course: appetizer, then salad, then dinner, then the final destination for dessert.
Please plan to attend this event for a wonderful evening of food, fellowship, and a great opportunity for every parishioner to meet many new people.
Friendship Callers Needed
On Thursday, September 5, Faith Lutheran Church's Fellowship Calling event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
The evening will begin with a prayer, pizza and soft drinks and then each volunteer is asked to call ten other members of Faith just to share God's love with them (i.e. - How are you and your family?) Then a few announcements about upcoming Faith events will be shared.
No requests are made for funds or volunteers, and both those calling and those receiving the calls report that it is a positive experience.
Thanks are given to those who have participated in the past; please consider volunteering for this ministry again. Please contact Bill Pope for further information.
Summit County Children's Services
The goal of the Children's Services MENTORING MOTHERS is to strengthen the parenting and life skills of young people through the:
- Enhancement of self-esteem
- Development of personal, educational or career goals
- Role modeling of positive parenting skills
- Availability of a caring, nurturing friend
Although the rates are declining, the United States still has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the western industrialized world. More than 40 percent of American girls become pregnant at least once by the age of 20 - that's nearly one million teen pregnancies each year. Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens. The incidence of abuse and neglect to young children by teen parents is steadily increasing. Fewer than one-third of teen mothers finish high school.
Here's and example of the problem. Sally is a 16 year old single parent. Her goal is to survive today. She once had other goals: high school graduation, college, a career in the medical profession. Sally's school friends don't visit anymore. Her family has withdrawn their support.
Her boyfriend is with someone else. Sally is scared and feels trapped. Her baby is five weeks old. He is crying, but Sally doesn't know what to do.......
MENTORING MOTHERS matches women, couples, or at times, entire families to a young parent. Interaction is to take place a minimum of once per month, and mentors commit to at least one year of service.
Last year the Service Committee gave some money to this worthwhile program. You can help by becoming one of these volunteers to mentor these young girls.
Norm and Judi Schmidt
Lazy Days of Summer?
Not at Faith! Not this summer! In addition to the Preschool "Summer Camp" Program, the following projects are being scheduled or planned:
- Carpet installation on the first floor hallways, during the week of July 29.
- Parking lot and driveway sealing and striping August 6, 7, 8
- Additionally, a proposal for more parking lot lighting is being reviewed, and the possibility of a new changeable copy sign for the front of the building is being considered.
Of course, all projects are subject to contractors schedules, and activities scheduled here at Faith.
Please Schedule Use
Please Schedule Use of Church Rooms
It is very important that everyone - including groups from the church - schedule the use of rooms in the building. Groups regularly meet in the church on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings throughout the year. Preschool camps are being held this summer. Also renovation, repair and cleaning is done at particular times and may make it impossible to use an area. Please do not assume that a room is available; call the church office to reserve space. Your help in this matter is appreciated!
In Our Prayers
Lori, a friend of Faith member Joanne Caton
Jane Hemphill, friend of Faith member Lou Sullivan
Robert Lightle, father of Faith member Bruce Lightle
Jacob Hurley, Grandson of Faith members Carl and Donna Sterner
Donald Knitt, brother of Faith member Patti White
Lois, daughter of Faith member Wanda Hare and sister of Faith member Linda Weidrick
Faith member Audrea Woodall
Faith member, Mary Alice Boose
Our sympathy continues to be offered to Faith member Larry Riggenbach upon the death of his wife Margaret on April 9, 2002. Larry recently returned from an extended visit with his son in Colorado.
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